Several promising rookies have joined the NFC North after the 2026 NFL Draft. As team activities begin, coaches assess how these players can address roster needs. Meanwhile, NFL Mocks looks ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft and potential impact prospects for each team.
Key storylines to watch in the NFC North in 2026 will be the Minnesota Vikings quarterback situation. Can Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy lead the Vikings back toward the top of the division? Have the Chicago Bears done enough to get more formidable on defense? How will top pick Dillon Thieneman help reshape the secondary?
Did the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions make sufficient improvements on their offensive and defensive lines? The outcomes of these decisions will shape each team's plans for next April.
NFC North Game-Changing Prospects in 2027
This way-to-early 2027 NFL mock draft highlights top prospects for these teams, using current Super Bowl odds as a guide.
No. 14 Minnesota Vikings: Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
Will Kyler Murray have a revival in Minnesota that will secure him as a long-term option for the Vikings? Or will J.J. McCarthy finally emerge as the future QB of the organization? Those are two looming questions at the position that will ultimately lead the Vikings to select a quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft.
With the 14th pick, the Vikings choose Drew Mestemaker from Oklahoma State. Given that Murray is on a one-year contract, and McCarthy's future is uncertain, Minnesota's smartest move is to secure another skilled quarterback. Mestemaker fits this need perfectly. After transferring from North Texas to Oklahoma State, he led all FBS players with 4,739 passing yards in 2025 and now has a strong chance of becoming one of the top five quarterback prospects for 2026. As a young quarterback who demonstrates composure and strong leadership qualities, Mestemaker offers significant potential to strengthen the Vikings' quarterback room.
No. 17 Chicago Bears: Matayo Uiagalelei, ED, Oregon
The Bears address their edge rusher need in the 2027 NFL Draft by picking Oregon standout Matayo Uiagalelei, adding him to the rotation with Montez Sweat and Austin Booker.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds, Uiagalelei elected to return to Oregon rather than enter the 2026 NFL Draft, a decision that could pay off in a big way if he elevates his draft stock this season. Aside from his edge rush ability, what makes Uiagalelei a great fit for the Bears is his elite run defense, an area where the Bears struggled defensively in 2025. If the team doesn’t improve in that area, adding a versatile defender like Uiagalelei to the defensive front seven will help the Bears’ defense in a major way.
No. 28 Detroit Lions: Damon Wilson II, ED, Miami
Edge rusher is expected to be a top priority for the Lions in the 2027 NFL Draft. With Al-Quadin Muhammad and Marcus Davenport departing in free agency, the team will rely on new acquisition D.J. Wonnum and rookie Derrick Moore to provide pressure from the edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Even if one or both of those players make an impact, the Lions will target an edge rusher high in a talented 2027 NFL draft class. With the 28th pick, they select Damon Wilson II, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end who transferred from Missouri to Miami following the 2025 season. After leading the Tigers with 9.0 sacks, Wilson II takes his talents to Miami, where he will look to fill the pass-rushing void left by Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor. If he shines, he will be a first-round prospect and one that will give the Lions that second edge rush star they have been looking for.
N/A Green Bay Packers: No first round pick in 2027
The Packers 2027 NFL Draft first round pick went to the Dallas Cowboys in the Micah Parsons trade. The Packers are expected to have top needs at the cornerback position, wide receiver and an interior defensive lineman. With 11 picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, the Packers can address those needs, but they just won’t have a first-round pick to add an instant impact rookie.
Florida State's Duce Robinson is a potential wide receiver target for the Packers. Standing 6'6" and weighing 222 pounds, he recorded 56 catches for 1,081 yards and 6 touchdowns last season. As a physical outside threat, Robinson fits well with Jordan Love and may be available early Day 2 despite a late first-round ceiling.
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